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She couldn’t worry about that now. Several hundred people were counting on her to make this concert perfect.

“It looks really beautiful in here.”

Hannah glanced up to find Wes surveying the chapel, now glowing with the warm light of dozens of white pillar LED candles and evergreen garlands draped along the historic pews.

He looked impossibly handsome in the navy sweater she saw beneath his coat, snowflakes still melting in his dark hair, and her heart gave a familiar, bittersweet ache. How many more times would she see him like this before he returned to his life in Portland?

“It’s such a lovely historic church,” she said, proud of how steady her voice sounded. “The acoustics make it an amazing venue.”

“I set up the chairs for you and shoveled off the steps again. It’s coming down pretty hard out there. Is there anything else I can do?”

Stay. The word rose unbidden in her throat. Love me. Hold me. Don’t leave when this magical season ends.

Instead, she managed a grateful smile. “Thank you for everything you’ve done. We have a lot of seniors coming for the Shelter Inn bell choir performance. Most will walk over from next door, and I’m worried about how they’ll manage in this weather.”

“No problem. I’ll head over and escort them.”

“Thanks. I’ve asked Rafe, Griffin and my brothers to help with that too.”

Something flickered across his expression as he was probably remembering how coolly her overprotective brothers treated him now. But he simply nodded and headed back out into the storm.

Hannah forced herself to focus on her clipboard, distributing programs to performers and double-checking her acoustic guitar.

Last night’s run-through had been a minor disaster, with the sound system fritzing out during the children’s choir and half of the Shelter Inn bell choir missing for various reasons.

But in her experience, chaotic rehearsals usually meant flawless performances. She could only hope tonight would prove that theory right.

As the chapel continued to fill with people, the music became the low hum of conversation and the rustle of winter coats. Performers gathered in their designated pews, the children fidgeting with excitement.

When it came time to start, the lights dimmed and the church choir took their places in the front, launching into an ethereal a cappella version of “The First Noel.”

Their voices soared through the vaulted space, leaving the audience in hushed reverence as the final notes faded into silence, followed by resounding applause.

Hannah’s heart hammered as she approached the microphone, nerves dancing through her stomach despite years of public performances.

The sea of expectant faces before her blurred slightly in the low light.

“Thank you to the choir of this beautiful church for that stirring performance, directed by Kelly Davis,” she began, her voice growing stronger with each word.

“What a joy it is to gather together once more to celebrate the season through song. I want to thank all of the amazing performers who will be sharing their musical gifts tonight. They have poured countless hours into preparing for tonight. And thank you to each of you for braving this weather and for your generous donations to our two causes. The food bank, which always needs your support, and also to help offset the medical expenses of one of our community members fighting a courageous battle against cancer.”

She glanced toward the back of the chapel, hoping to spot Morgan’s familiar face, but saw only shadows beyond the candlelight. She couldn’t see Doug or Ryan either. They must not have been able to fly out after all.

Her gaze found Wes instead, leaning against the back wall, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her pulse skip. Love for him blazed through her, almost stealing her breath.

“Our remaining performances this evening will follow the order in your programs,” she managed. “The choir will favor us with another number, ‘Mary, Did You Know?,’ and then we will hear from our children’s choir.”

Hannah took her seat in the front row and listened to the beautiful voices ring up again through the space. After they finished to more applause, they took their seats while ten excited children bounded up the steps to replace them, their faces glowing in the warm light. Her heart swelled watching them arrange themselves, these precious children who had become so dear to her over the past weeks of rehearsals.

Riley suddenly gasped, her eyes widening as she nudged her younger brother. Hannah turned to follow the girl’s gaze and felt tears spring to her own eyes.

Morgan was making her way slowly down the side aisle on Ryan Caldwell’s steady arm, moving carefully but with determined grace. Ryan’s father, Doug, followed behind them.

Hannah watched someone slide over to make room in a pew and realized with a jolt that it was Morgan’s father, making space for the daughter he hadn’t seen in months.

But then the opening notes of “Where Are You Christmas” filled the chapel, and Hannah’s attention returned to the children. Their sweet, clear voices carried the melody through the sacred space, each word ringing with innocent truth about the true meaning of the holidays.

As the last note faded and applause filled the chapel, Hannah settled back into her seat and let the music soothe her heart.